Spain

Getting Lost

April 3, 2013
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When I travel, it’s usually for a week or less at a time, because that’s all the time I can get off from my day job. So I try to be efficient and maximize my time. I create an itinerary for each day of my trip—where I’ll go, what I’ll do, and when. I usually [...]

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Looking Back on a Year of Adventures

December 19, 2012
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I love this time of year. In addition to looking ahead to the new year, making plans and setting goals, I’ve also been reflecting on the year that has passed. Here’s what 2012 looked like, from a travel perspective, for me: By the Numbers Number of Trips: 4 (keep in mind I have a full-time [...]

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Snapshot of Madrid: San Jerónimo el Real Church

May 22, 2012
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One of the places most guidebooks will tell you to visit when you’re in Madrid is Museo Nacional del Prado (the Prado Museum). As you may recall, I wasn’t all that wowed by the Prado. I guess I’m more of an architecture lover than an art lover, because what did capture my attention on that [...]

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Mediterranean Preview: 9 Cities and 3 Countries in 1.5 Weeks

May 4, 2012
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I am just about on the eve of my next trip to Europe. If you’ll recall, I’ve booked myself a Studio Stateroom aboard the Norwegian Epic to explore several ports in three countries. I’ll also be flying in and out of Rome, so I’ll finally have a chance to see the Eternal City. Without a [...]

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When Solo Travel Sucks

May 1, 2012
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I had a conversation recently with a fellow travel blogger, in which we were discussing how important it is to write about our failures as well as our successes. I may be an advocate of solo travel, and I do love it and think most people should try it at least once. But I don’t [...]

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Lost in Translation

February 14, 2012

Toward the end of 2011, I was reviewing my journals, thinking about the “best and worst” moments of my travels from the year. I ran across this one, which was not the worst, but certainly the most awkward and uncomfortable. This is the first of what I hope will be more travel stories I post [...]

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Getting Around Barcelona

February 7, 2012

There are so many reasons to visit Barcelona, Spain, from its gorgeous architecture and location as a port city on the Mediterranean to its museums and pretty Spanish plazas. When you start planning your trip to Barcelona, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: What’s the best way to get around the city? [...]

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Plaza de Cibeles, The Prettiest Plaza in Madrid

October 19, 2011

If you visit Madrid, Plaza de Cibeles (metro: Banco de Espana) should be a stop on your itinerary. It is by far the prettiest and most interesting intersection I found in Madrid. It is located at the intersection of Calle de Alcala, Paseo del Prado, and Paseo de Recoletos. There, you will see the Fountain [...]

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Cafeteria Europa: A SoloFriendly Favorite

October 1, 2011

I don’t know about you, but to me, the word “cafeteria” conjures up images of self-serve steam pans, hard, brown plastic trays, and globs of unappealing food doled out in an institutional setting. In Spain, “cafeteria” is synonymous with “cafe.” Cafeteria Europa is a restaurant that happens to be attached to a hotel, Hotel Europa. [...]

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